Ngunjiri causes a stir after launching "Washenzi movement"

Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri (in white t-shirt) causes a stir in Nakuru after launching "Washenzi movement in defiance to President Uhuru Kenyatta's remarks. [Harun Wathari/Standard]

Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri caused a stir in Nakuru town yesterday when he led his supporters in a walk of defiance against President Uhuru Kenyatta’s remarks on Monday.

Mr Ngunjiri was accompanied by a handful of supporters clad in T-shirts emblazoned with Mimi ni Mshenzi, Je Wewe (I'm an idiot, what about you?) in reference to Uhuru’s utterances in Mombasa.

Speaking at Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa, the President termed as washenzi (idiots) the Central Kenya leaders who were criticising him, claiming that their regions had been neglected during his tenure as head of State.

Police officers patrol based outside a Nakuru Hotel where Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri reportedly was. [Harun Wathari/Standard]

Addressing the media, Ngunjiri said such remarks should not come from a leader of Uhuru's stature, adding that insults would not intimidate those criticising him.

“Leaders and the electorate shall not be intimidated by insults. Actually those he (President) is insulting will revert to the same strategy of insults to defend themselves,” said Ngunjiri.

The second-term legislator known for not shying away from controversy, dared the President to quit the Jubilee Party, accusing him of ganging up with "outsiders" who were out to destroy the aspirations of the party.

He claimed that the handshake between the President and ODM chief Raila Odinga had destabilised the party and triggered a premature succession debate.

“The President can go ahead and leave the party if he has defected. The pact between him and Raila has brought about the unnecessary succession debate which is likely to divide Kenyans rather than unite them.”

After an hour walking along Kenyatta Avenue and chanting that they agreed to be taken as washenzi, Ngunjiri and his supporters went to a restaurant. Police officers in uniform and civilian clothes were seen hovering around. The legislator, in a brief phone conversation, told journalists that he feared the police had been sent to arrest him.

Police officers in three vehicles and armed with teargas parked outside the hotel, making it impossible for the MP to leave. The officers were later joined by Nakuru County Police Commander Hassan Barua and Nakuru Central Police Station OCS Samuel Obara.

Ngunjiri, who was still inside the hotel, changed his clothes and slipped unnoticed out of the backdoor.

It is not clear how the MP got away as his two cars were still parked at the hotel.